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E. P. SPENCER.

- STEP LADDER. No. 288.883. Patented Nov. 20, 1883.

5 o a I o M Jul/an er,

UNITED ST TES PATENT Fries.

HENRY P. SPENCER, OF FORESTVILLE, NEYV YORK.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,883, dated November20, 1883,

Application filed May 3, 1883. (No model.)

.To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY P. SPENCER, of Forestville, in the county ofChautauqua and State of New York, have invented a new and 5 usefulImprovement in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of step laddersin which the hinged standard is provided with a folding shelf or plate,which is adapted to support a pail or other vessel in using the ladder.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple means of connectingthe shelf with the standard and body of the ladder in such manner thatthe supporting-bars of the folding shelf form at the same time braces,whereby the hinged standard is held away from the body of the ladderwhen unfolded.

My invention consists of the improvements which will be hereinafterfully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of theupper part of aladder provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is asectional elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section in linem :r, Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a sectional elevation of a modifiedconstruction of my improvement. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section, on anenlarged scale,in line at. 4.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A A represent the side pieces of the body of the step-ladder; a a, thesteps secured between the side pieces, and B the top plate, whichconnects the upper ends of the side pieces A A.

G C represent the side bars of the hinged standard,pivoted to the underside of the top plate, B.

D is the folding shelf or plate, and EE are two side bars, to the outerportions of which the shelf D is secured. The side bars E are pivoted tothe side bars O of the standard at e, and extend with their oppositeends between the side bars A A of the body of the ladder.

As represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the side bars A are each dividedlongitudinally by 50 a slit, j, which is formed by sawing into the sidebar or by constructing the side bar in two separate parts.

9 is a horizontal stud or bolt, which is secured to the end of eachsidebar E and projects outwardly through the adjacent slit in the side 55 piece A. The studs 9 are elevated above the ends of the side bars E,so that when the shelf is unfolded,ready for operation, as representedin Fig. 1, the studs 9 will be located above a horizontal plane drawnthrough the pivot e of the side bars E, whereby the pivoted stand and isprevented from being closed accidentally, as the closing movement of thepivoted standard would tend to force the studs 9 upwardly in the slit f,and which movement of the studs is prevented by the contraction of theslits f, beginning at the normal position of the studs 9. Upon movingthe studs 9 outwardly in the slits f, the shelf D is raised and foldedbetween the side bars 0 of the standard, and the latter permitted tofold against the body of the ladder. It will be seen, therefore, thatthe side bars E not only support the shelf D, but also serve as braces,whereby the hinged standard is secured in position when unfolded.

Instead of forming the slits f in the side pieces A of the body of theladder, as hereinbefore described, the side pieces A may be providedwith grooved guides or ways It on their inner sides, in which. the studs9 move, as represented in Figs. 4 and 5.

WV hen the upper step, a, is located below the normal position of thestuds 5 as represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the step c is provided withopenings 1', through which project the upper ends of the curved shankson which the studs 9 are formed, and whereby the studs are secured tothe ends of the side bars E.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with the side pieces A ofthe body of the ladder, provided with guide slits or grooves, and theside bars 0 G of the hinged standard, of the side bars E, 95 pivoted tothe side pieces 6, and provided at their opposite ends with projectionsg, moving in the guide slits or ways of the side pieces A, substantiallyas set forth.

2. The combination, with the side pieces I00 A, provided with suitableguide slits or ways, the standard and guided on the body of the of theside pieces 0 0, side bars E, pivoted ladder, substantially as setforth.

thereto and provided with a shelf D and v projections g,'substantial1yas set forth. 7 HENRY SPENCER 5 3. The combination, with the body andVitnesses:

hinged standard of the ladder, of a folding GHAs. F. GEYER,

shelf secured to braces which are pivoted to J NO. J. BONNER.

